Do limit approaching pop-up messages work for people with financial focused self-concepts?

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Author(s): Tabri, Nassim ; Hollingshead, Samantha J. ; Wohl, Michael J. A.

Journal: International Gambling Studies

Year Published: 2019

Date Added: June 12, 2019

This study examined pop-up messages and how effective they were at informing players that they were reaching their spending limits on EGM machines. It also explored whether spending limit pop up messages were ineffective for people with high financially focused self-concept (FFS). The researchers recruited 88 players from the local community. The study found that players who received two messages instead of one were more likely to stop playing before they reached their limit. Second, players with low FFS who received two messages were more likely to stop before they reached their limit. For people with high FFS, it did not matter how many messages they have received; they were more likely to continue to play. However, in this study, FFS did not relate to limit adherence. The reasons for limit adherence included wanting to stick to their limit, not winning, and not liking to play. The reasons for playing beyond one’s limit included the possibility of winning and having fun.

Citation: Tabri, N., Hollingshead, S. J., & Wohl, M. J. A. (2019). A limit approaching pop-up message reduces gambling expenditures, except among players with a financially focused self-concept. International Gambling Studies, 19(2), 327-338. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2019.1567806

Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2019.1567806

Keywords: Electronic Gambling Machines (EGMs) ; monetary limits ; pop-up messages ; self concept

Topics: Game Types ; Information for Operators ; Self Perceptions ; Slots and VLTs

Conceptual Framework Factors: Psychological - Self-Perceptions ; Environment - Responsible Gambling ; Psychological Factors ; Resources - Harm Reduction, Prevention, and Protection ; Gambling Resources

Response Rate: N/A

Study Design: Experimental: RCT (randomized controlled trial)

Geographic Coverage: Canada, Ontario

Study Population: 88 community gamblers from 20 to 81 years old (54.5% female, average age = 55.13)

Sampling Procedure: Participants were recruited from a local EGM and horse-racing venue in Canada. The researchers used a targeted sampling technique to ask people who entered a casino if they would like to participate in gambling research.

Study Funding:

This study was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) Grant [#6700] to Wohl.

Declaration:

All authors reported no competing interests. To enhance transparency, we describe the nature of the relationship between the research team and the local gambling operator. In short, there is no relationship between the research team and the local gambling operator. This is because in Ontario, where the data were collected, researchers have a middle organization, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO), to gain access to local casinos for the purpose of data collection. Specifically, a research team submits an access request to GREO. GREO liaises with Ontario Lottery and Gambling to get permission to recruit participants from a local gambling venue. Once permission is granted, GREO provides the research teams with the name of a contact at the local gambling venue to set a recruitment schedule. The local gambling operator had no role in determining the aims and outcomes of the current study and no role in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.